BULL THISTLE

Bull thistle

Common name(s): Bull thistle, spear thistle

Scientific name:Cirsium vulgare

Family: Sunflower or Aster family (Asteraceae)

Reasons for concern: This aggressive and persistent species can quickly take over both disturbed and unattended areas, and outcompete native species, reducing plant diversity and wildlife habitat. It can form huge monocultures and is very difficult to eradicate. Thistle seed is easily dispersed by wind, water, birds, and other animals.

Stem(s): Has very spiny wings, each extending down the stem from a leaf. Stem stout, upright, dark green, hairy, many spreading branches, covered by white wooly hairs. Stems up to 2 to 6 feet. Dead stems remain through winter.

Flowers: Large, purple, solitary flower heads, clustered at end of each branch. Flower heads are supported by very spiny, pointed, green modified leaves, called bracts. Blooms June through October.

Seeds: Seed heads topped by plume of feathery white hairs. Seeds are short-lived, particularly those on or near soil surface. Seeds buried 5 or 6 inches in soil may remain viable up to 3 years.

Life cycle: Biennial. Basal rosette forms the first year. Bolts, flowers, and dies in the second year.

Reproduction: By seed

Weedy characteristics: Bull thistle is highly competitive and aggressive, and forms dense colonies that choke out native vegetation important to wildlife and pollinators. Seeds germinate rapidly and are spread by wind. An individual plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds.

Bull thistle

Wheeler thistle

Look-alike native plants: Many native thistles can look similar to bull thistle. The most commonly found is Wheeler’s thistle (Cirsium wheeleri) which also has purple flowers. Wheeler’s thistle plants are shorter and smaller with more delicate stems and rosettes. The stems do not have spiny wings and therefore can be easily touched. The leaves are not covered in bristles or bumps like bull thistle.

Control strategies: Eradicate them in rosette stage in the first year whenever possible. In the second year, do not let them go to flower or seed. To prevent resprouting, cut taproot about 2 to 3 inches below soil surface, while disturbing soil as little as possible. Bag all buds, flowers or seeds. Always use gloves. Repeatedly monitor previous infestations for new growth. Plant desirable native species to outcompete invasive plants. Chemical control can be effective on rosettes. Contact your local county extension office for more information on chemical control.

Created by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Coconino County, and the Flagstaff chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society

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